I define economic injustice the way Justice Potter Stewart defined pornography. I know it when I see it. Economic injustice is homeless people being told to shuffle along rather than sit on a Fifth Avenue sidewalk while billionaires spend three months a year in an otherwise empty duplex 50 yards straight up. Economic injustice is East Palo Alto where over 60% of kids don’t graduate from high school compared to Palo Alto, where the dropout rate is 4.5% Economic injustice is Baltimore where 37% of young black men are unemployed while only 10% of young white male Baltimoreans lack a job. Most poor Americans are white but African-Americans and Hispanics are more than 2.5 times likely to be impoverished than whites.

Ironically, neither Bachelder nor Robin discusses wealth disparities, unemployment, or poverty directly. But the circumstances they decry are logical outgrowths of an economically unjust society in which the most affluent 1% control 40% of the nation’s wealth and more than 1 out of every 5 Americans is poor.

According to Bachelder, Asians comprise approximately 21.5% of this fall’s incoming freshman class at Harvard even though 30% of National Merit Semifinalists are Asian and a whopping 49% of New York City’s public magnet Hunter College High School 2013 grads were Asian.

Harvard is not the only elite university to enroll a seemingly low number of Asian students given the percentage of qualified Asians high school graduates. The percentage of admittees at various Ivy League universities last spring ranged from 17% to 25%. By comparison at Cal Tech and Cal Berkeley, two schools with explicitly race-blind admissions policies, the percentage of Asian students is over 40%.

Cal did not always ignore race when considering applicants. After businessman Ward Connerly championed a successful statewide referendum in 1996 changed, the state had to change its practices. The results were stark. “The year after California’s ban [on race-conscious admissions] took effect, the number of black, Latino and Native American students plummeted by roughly half at Berkeley and UCLA, the UC system’s most sought-after campuses.” The number of Asian matriculants likewise jumped.

Despite the opposition of businessmen like Zhao in Florida and Connerly in California, some educators prefer race-conscious admissions policies. “It’s frustrating,” said Harry Le Grande, vice chancellor of student affairs at Berkeley. “Many times we lose [desirable black applicants] to elite privates that can actually take race into account when they admit students.” Barmak Nassirian, associate executive director of the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers contends it’s “critical that our most selective institutions that look at least somewhat like the rest of our society”.

I am sensitive to the concerns of educators who want the demographics of our best-educated to mirror society at large. Likewise, people of color can legitimately claim that overcoming racism and generational poverty are accomplishments that colleges and universities should recognize when judging applicants with unremarkable GPAs and test scores.

On the other hand, I understand the resentment of high achieving Asians, denied entry admission into an Ivy League school despite near-perfect test scores and grades. They recognize correctly that a degree from Princeton or Yale is the closest thing to a golden ticket academic America confers. Many are first or second-generation immigrants who, like African-Americans and Hispanics, have had to overcome significant obstacles that many whites have not faced.

In the past, some unsuccessful white applicants attributed their failure to secure acceptance at top universities to affirmative action. This belief likely caused some of them to vote for the apparently anti-affirmative action Republican party. Despite the higher admissions standards for Asians at Ivy League schools, they remain overwhelmingly Democratic. In any case, fear of losing votes is a poor reason for a politician to abandon a successful policy, although surely a common one.

The conflict among demographic groups for the few places at top universities reflects the long-term value of the degrees that they award. It also underscores the significantly reduced prospects of those who don’t manage to gain admission to a most competitive university. While studies suggest that less well-known less expensive schools may offer a better rate of expected return to graduates, there is no doubt that the biggest paychecks and most prestigious political offices go to Ivy League graduates.

Every current Supreme Court Justice studied at Harvard or Yale Law School and all but Thomas attended an elite undergraduate school. Most of our recent Presidents with a few notable exceptions graduated from Ivy League schools. The nine colleges with the most graduates who ultimately became a CEO of a Fortune 500 company are in order: Harvard, Stanford, the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, Cornell, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Columbia, Yale. It should come as no surprise that the competition for admission into these elite private schools between individuals and demographic groups is so fierce.

There are good arguments in favor of and opposition to race-blind admission policies. By contrast, it’s hard to find anything good to say about the political positions that, as Corey Robin describes, some employers mandate for employees.

Supervisors [at Ohio’s Murray Energy] pressure new workers to sign up for an automatic payroll deduction; one percent of their wages is taken out for the company’s PAC. . . The company uses tables and spreadsheets to keep track of which worker has or hasn’t contributed. In August 2012, the company even required workers at its Ohio mine to attend a Romney rally, without pay, where participants held up a sign that said “COAL COUNTRY STANDS WITH MITT.”

“Workers are dependent on employers for their well-being [making] them vulnerable to their bosses’ demands, about a great many matters, including politics,” Robin explains. Robin concludes: “Without economic democracy, there’s no political democracy.” (Emphasis supplied.)

Robin does not define “economic democracy” but he may be thinking of the German co-determination system. Under the law of co-determination, if a company employs over 500 people, its board must include labor representatives. Companies with directors elected by employees are unlikely to coerce them to participate in political rallies for anti-labor candidates. On the other hand, it’s quite a stretch to call Germany an economic democracy. In small and owner-operated companies, the capitalist still calls the shots. Even in large co-determined companies, capital has primacy over labor in important respects.

Still Robin is onto something. To the extent labor has a true voice in management decisions, those decisions are more likely to reflect the reality that workers are human beings with a right to self-determination on and off the job.

In addition to economic democracy, there’s another way to protect American workers from management intent on controlling political action, economic justice. Economic justice doesn’t level the playing field, it guarantees a relatively high minimum standard of living for the poor and, at least compared to today, a relatively low maximum standard.

Corey Robin tells us that fear motivates workers to kowtow to imperious managers – fear of hunger, of losing healthcare, of homelessness, of having to move. In an economically just society, these fears would be alleviated in several ways. Economic policy would focus on generating good well-paying jobs so employees would no longer find themselves dependent on any one employer. Corporations maintaining an oppressive work environment would quickly lose their workforce.

Beyond ensuring low unemployment, an economically just America would guarantee to all food, clean safe shelter, great pre-K through 12th grade public education, and health care. All qualified students would have easily affordable access to higher education. By eliminating working-class fears of destitution, an economically just America would severely hamper the ability of corporations to dictate politics to its employees.

An economically just America would also limit the total income and wealth that can accrue to any one individual. Top marginal income and estate tax rates well above 90% would result in an America where nobody’s income is much more than the amount when the top rate kicks in. Limiting a business owner’s potential wealth, would lessen his incentive to force employees to embrace conservative politics because the expected net financial return from a Republican victory would be reduced.

When it comes to college admissions, specifically race-conscious versus race-blind policies, economic justice would also have important positive ramifications. As discussed above, admission to elite colleges and universities can provide spectacular returns. With a ceiling on those returns, the competition for a place at Harvard or Yale would be reduced.

In addition, American poverty is widespread and has a brown face. Top academic institutions feel a duty to remedy this manifestly unjust situation. Providing preferences to black and Hispanic applicants is one way that academics assuage the guilt they feel as prosperous citizens in a morally fraught nation.

In an economically just nation, the government would take seriously its responsibility to eliminate poverty. Decent-paying jobs would be available for all but the incompetent (who would be protected from penury) and the economic advantage of a Princeton education, while still significant, would not be exorbitant. Freed of the burden of redressing society’s wrongs, educators at our finest universities and colleges could focus on their proper task of educating our most accomplished high school students.

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For once, Trump said something that bears a tiny semblance to truth. Specifically, re wildland mismanagement. Aggressive thinning needs to occur. Enviros need to back off, else over the next few decades we are

(Monday, Nov 12. 2018 05:35 AM)

on course to lose much of r woodlands & the wildlife we all want2 protect. Due to accumulated fuel loads resultant from over-aggressive fire suppression combined w/climate change, today’s fires dont just clear underbrush, they burn everything from mature tree crowns down to the soil, which is sterilized & then washes away to silt waterways. DiFi prev worked on a bi-partisan solution, see: http://tinyurl.com/Herger-DiFi-Quincy-Library-Grp

Recent criminal justice bail bond reforms are being distorted by powerful interests towards a new Jim Crow system of private, 4profit, mass e-carceration. In CA Oct 2019, it appears a presumption of e-detention will

(Sunday, Nov 11. 2018 12:37 PM)

replace what was hoped 2b more freq release on 1’s own recognizance. CPU algorithms based on factors highly correlated w/ race/class will determine who remains caged. Those found release elig will likely be forced2 lease from a private corp a $300/mo GPS unit shackled to their ankle & w/permitted movement zones that may make it imposs 2 work, attend school, care4 kids, or visit family. http://tinyurl.com/newest-jim-crow

Judge Brett Kavanaugh lied about the SeaWorld case during his Senate confirmation testimony last week in order to justify his disrespect for the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

(Monday, Sep 24. 2018 04:18 AM)

Kavanaugh can do one good thing for us; let’s hope his nomination hangs on & thus forces the SCOTUS appt after the elections. https://tinyurl.com/kavagaugh-lies
(Self-extracting link above shows full post.)

U.S. is denying passports to Americans along the border, throwing their citizenship into question.

(Friday, Aug 31. 2018 04:45 AM)

Worse, passport applicants with official U.S. birth certificates are being jailed in immigration detention centers & entered into deportation proceedings. Others are stuck in Mexico, their passports suddenly revoked after trying to reenter the United States. It’s getting close to time that we can legitimately start comparing the Trump admin to the Nazis. https://tinyurl.com/y9ur35p8

In China, Google has explored launching a new, special search engine that would meet the demands of the country’s strict Internet censors. Meanwhile, in the US, regulators/users increasingly demand Silicon Valley apply a heavier hand in moderating onlin

(Wednesday, Aug 29. 2018 03:19 AM)

2prevent harassment, stop hate speech & ensure civil political discourse. Now down the slippery slope goes Trump right into the totalitarian rabbit hole. T today accused Google of being “RIGGED” against him because the “search results for ‘Trump News’” show mostly “BAD” coverage about him from “Fake News Media.” And Larry Kudlow, National Economic Council director, said the T admin is “taking a look” at whether Google should be regulated. That’s not fake news, it’s scary news. http://tinyurl.com/ybctd59s

Correction: For fossil-fueled plants, CO2 release is reduced <40%, not <50%. System best described as a waste heat concentrator that then drives a turbine & generates electricity. The technique utilizes OFF-THE-SHELF proven tech. Initially, wast

(Sunday, Aug 12. 2018 01:28 PM)

would otherwise be released to the enviro is used 2drive a turbine that pressurizes air. This air is then stored underground @ ambient temps (either in an exhausted gas/oil field or in other common geologic formations). During /peak demand/ electric load periods, this air is piped 2where it is warmed by waste heat from the plant-s current operations. This increases the air-s energy density 2where it is sufficient 2operate a turbine & electric generator. Net result is that what was once considered waste heat pollution that costs money to dispose of can now generate electricity.

what has traditionally been unusable/polluting waste heat as pressurized air. This air later operates efficient modified turbines. 2X plant efficiency poss during peak periods. For fossil-fueled plants, CO2 reduced <50%. Pressurized air can also time-shift electric output from renewables. Dr Bill not alone: http://goo.gl/dCuvqh As for marquee claim, pressurized air can prevent nuke meltdowns by serving as alt coolant during critical 1st 72hrs w/o H2O. http://goo.gl/b1DCV9 While some radiation would be discharged in air, idea better than a meltdown.

T admin now wants to make it harder for legal immigrants to become US Citzns. Under a recent proposal, legal immigrants wouldnt be allowed to obtain citizenship or green cards if they’ve ever used the social programs many working-class ppl use at so

(Wednesday, Aug 8. 2018 04:30 AM)

like the ACA (Obamacare), Children’s Health Insurance, or foodstamps. Proposal won’t require congressional approval. As the Clinton admin did in 1999, T admin would redefine the term /public charge/, a feature of immigration law since 1800s. More than 20M immigrants would thus be prevented from ever voting. Immigration attys r planning2 push back in the courts, but Repubs r packing the courts too, so… https://goo.gl/6mSW1H

Earlier this wk, a Koch brothers-sponsored study shared widely w/corporate media tried2 scare ppl into thinking Medicare-for-all would be too expensive for our country. But what the study did was show that Medicare-for-all would actually save the American

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 11:34 PM)

people $2T over 10yrs. And it would do so while providing hlth care for 30M Americans who dont have it today & eliminating premiums/deductibles/co-pymts to private hlth ins companies. Sounds like a good deal to me. So I want to thank the Koch brothers. I do not think their study had its intended effect. s/Bernie Sanders. http://goo.gl/y9ChnC (In fairness, Bernie forgets2 mention the premiums/deductibles/co-pymts to Medicare/Medigap ins/PrescriptionDrugPlans. Medicare isn’t free 2 most end users but would cost less & improve results.

KSCO did a tribute show today from 10-noon w/guests & callers. According to Dr Eric Wattenburg, Bill’s son, one of Dr Bill’s last deathbed actions was2 successfully obtain a patent 4a method to quench out-of-control nuke reactors. I would

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 02:49 PM)

Dr Bill had. Dr Bill had a knack4 applying practical seat-of-the-pants knowledge he learned growing up on farms & in the woods with complex scientific principles. While I agree it appears there is no way to operate current gen nuke reactors safely, I am confident that over time scientists will find safe ways to contain/utilize this power. I also feel that mankind cannot ignore such a lrg source of electric energy generation – energy that may well be nec to tap in order to counter the wheels of climatic change already placed irreversibly into motion. http://184.105.148.154:8000/live

I’m listening to a tribute show KSCO is doing today from 10-noon with guests & callers. According to Dr Eric Wattenburg, Bill’s son, one of Dr Bill’s last deathbed actions was to successfully obtain a patent for a method to quench o

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 02:41 PM)

Dr Bill had. Dr Bill had a knack4 applying practical seat-of-the-pants knowledge he learned growing up on farms & in the woods w/complex scientific principles. While I agree it appears there is no way to operate current gen nuke reactors safely, I am confident that over time scientists will find safe ways to contain/utilize this power. I also feel that mankind cannot ignore such a lrg source of electric energy generation — energy that may well be nec to tap in order to counter the wheels of climatic change already placed irreversibly into motion. http://184.105.148.154:8000/live

Dr Bill Wattenburg, KGO radio talk host & scientist, passed away Thurs at age 82 due to complications of cancer. Dr Bill was a fixture on KGO from 1975-2011. I have missed Dr Bill’s input in recent yrs. I always held high respect for his scientific knowledge & his scientifically-based ideas. However, when it came to politics, his attitudes were sometimes abysmal & towards people that didn’t worship at his feet, he had a nasty mean streak. https://goo.gl/d98JUF

Did Trump Meet With His Counterpart — Or His Handler? A plausible theory of mind-boggling collusion. By Jonathan Chait @ nymag.com. That the GRU & Putin would have in the past behaved badly… well that is no more surprising

(Sunday, Jul 22. 2018 09:56 PM)

than the known past behavior of our own spooks/leaders. But that doesnt mean we cant now get along & work towards mutual betterment. I believe common ground w/RU is as poss as w/China & Europe. In that 1 very specific respect, I think Trump’s thinking is correct. Our biggest prob isnt the Russians, but the fact that our politicians are under the influence of corrupt money from foreign/corporate/mob/oligarchs. We should inoculate ourselves w/better cybersecurity, public campaign financing, & verifiable paper ballots — not by alienating RU. https://goo.gl/FGTHH7

Hope KKSF succedes so as2 better inform SF commuters. However, they have weak signal here & no local/state content except4 NBC news on hr. They also rerun same 4 shows 24/7. PBC says he contacted them but learned they have no

(Saturday, Jul 21. 2018 08:11 PM)

budget4 local talent. KGO however moving back 2roots taking more calls. This forces content from cheesy dribble 2 current & even local. And if Jack Swanson comes back as PD, PBC hopeful he & others might get gigs. R country has lost its way w/greedy corporate raiders that load formerly honorable/viable business w/unmanageable debt. The raiders then micromanage massive cuts trying2 maximize profit, but they r so incompetent that they cant even retain previous profits. Laws need to change.

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For once, Trump said something that bears a tiny semblance to truth. Specifically, re wildland mismanagement. Aggressive thinning needs to occur. Enviros need to back off, else over the next few decades we are

(Monday, Nov 12. 2018 05:35 AM)

on course to lose much of r woodlands & the wildlife we all want2 protect. Due to accumulated fuel loads resultant from over-aggressive fire suppression combined w/climate change, today’s fires dont just clear underbrush, they burn everything from mature tree crowns down to the soil, which is sterilized & then washes away to silt waterways. DiFi prev worked on a bi-partisan solution, see: http://tinyurl.com/Herger-DiFi-Quincy-Library-Grp

Recent criminal justice bail bond reforms are being distorted by powerful interests towards a new Jim Crow system of private, 4profit, mass e-carceration. In CA Oct 2019, it appears a presumption of e-detention will

(Sunday, Nov 11. 2018 12:37 PM)

replace what was hoped 2b more freq release on 1’s own recognizance. CPU algorithms based on factors highly correlated w/ race/class will determine who remains caged. Those found release elig will likely be forced2 lease from a private corp a $300/mo GPS unit shackled to their ankle & w/permitted movement zones that may make it imposs 2 work, attend school, care4 kids, or visit family. http://tinyurl.com/newest-jim-crow

Judge Brett Kavanaugh lied about the SeaWorld case during his Senate confirmation testimony last week in order to justify his disrespect for the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

(Monday, Sep 24. 2018 04:18 AM)

Kavanaugh can do one good thing for us; let’s hope his nomination hangs on & thus forces the SCOTUS appt after the elections. https://tinyurl.com/kavagaugh-lies
(Self-extracting link above shows full post.)

U.S. is denying passports to Americans along the border, throwing their citizenship into question.

(Friday, Aug 31. 2018 04:45 AM)

Worse, passport applicants with official U.S. birth certificates are being jailed in immigration detention centers & entered into deportation proceedings. Others are stuck in Mexico, their passports suddenly revoked after trying to reenter the United States. It’s getting close to time that we can legitimately start comparing the Trump admin to the Nazis. https://tinyurl.com/y9ur35p8